Eliot Ness Museum

Two of the guests who visited the museum last week (before we decided to temporarily suspend tours) left quite an impression. Mary O'Connell of Pennsauken, N.J., and her wife Kelly came upon our padlock puzzle. It wasn’t long before Mary became only the third museum guest ever to solve it. Her mastery didn’t stop there. We then directed her to the super-difficult wildlife puzzle. No one had solved that one! Kelly (foreground) took the first crack at it. Then Mary took over. Ten minutes later, she had it together. Naturally, we had to snap a quick picture. Who knows when we’ll ever have that opportunity again? Thanks to Jane and Carl Lanius for donating the puzzles.

Well, this is one for the record books! Our reputation is spreading far and wide. We've recently booked a tour for Aug. 26-27, 2021! Upwards of 50 members of the Penn's Friends & West Penn's Travelers Clubs will arrive in their Newmar RVs for their rally. They'll be camped near Wellsboro and making many other stops -- Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and others. Wayne Burke, their organizer, just got home from scouting our region and let us know we'll be on the itinerary. He also said they just may change their plans and instead roll into town for the Eliot Ness Fest next July 16-18.

Although we're not booking any more tours at this time, we'd like to show you some of the folks who recently visited us. Meet Diane Kern and Mike Vila from Northampton, Pa., who stopped in after spending a night at the Hotel Crittenden's Ness Suite. Diane and Mike said they'll be back for the next Eliot Ness Fest. (See comments below for pictures of some of our other recent guests).

Allegewi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored the Eliot Ness Museum this week by holding its business meeting here. They were joined by two representatives of A Way Out. DAR honored that domestic violence and sexual abuse services agency for its work in Potter County. Pictured clockwise left to right at the table are DAR members Sue Halloran, Virginia Ayers, Judy Gunzburger, Joy Glassmire, Cynthia Kelly, Ilene Altenhein and Nancy Glover. Representing A Way Out were Jennifer Rossman (standing) and Mona Paro. Also attending was Allegewi Chapter member Barbara Heimel. who received a certificate of appreciation for 75 years of service to DAR and for her volunteer work with Christmas House, Potter County Historical Society and the First United Presbyterian Church, among other organizations.

(Please see this important notice from museum president and CEO Steve Green on behalf of our board of directors) "After careful deliberation, the Eliot Ness Museum has, with great disappointment, decided to remain closed until further notice after completing restoration work this week from recent water damage, as we all work through what may be a challenging Fall & Winter, and proceed through the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic together . . . BUT, know that when we again throw open our doors and open our arms to welcome you all back there will be EVEN MORE mystery & magic in Coudersport's Eliot Ness Museum for all to enjoy."

This week we welcomed the arrival of an authentic period straw boater hat and newsboy hat, just as you see here to the left. These were donated by our graphic arts partner, Deb Plummer, in memory of her sister Jacky Bliss Gordnier. All this to add to the fedora earlier provided by our friend and museum promoter, Ron Ebbert of Austin, Pa. As you can see, all of the best-dressed men in Chicago, including Eliot Ness (left) and Al Capone (right), donned their fedoras whenever they stepped outside.